Method of storing for shipment prismatic objects such as laptop computer casings

ABSTRACT

A method of storing a plurality of objects being of an identical prismatic shape and stored within an open top storage container in an up-right, compact side-by-side relationship. Each object is placed forming an acute angle with respect to both adjacent objects, so that one corner portion thereof projects from between the adjacent objects and hence is easily accessible for retrieval from the container. The container has a bottom, side-walls and an open top for storing objects having an identical prismatic shape. The bottom of the container is formed so as to staggerly recline each object in relative opposite directions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Oblong, rectangular prismatic shaped objects, such as laptop computers, attaché cases, suitcases and the like, as schematically represented in FIG. 1 denoted A, are currently stored, for shipment or other purposes, in open top containers or receptacles. The containers (denoted B in FIG. 2, placed on a transportation pallet) are shaped and sized to contain one or more rows of, say, 10 items each. The objects stand in up-right compact side-by-side position, as shown.

Because there is no room left between the objects it is quite difficult to unload the container manually, at least with respect to the first-in-line object of each row.

One obvious way for overcoming this drawback of the conventional storage method would have been to put spacers between the objects; however, this would cost expensive shipment and/or storage space.

It is therefore the prime object of the present invention to improve the conventional storage/transportation method in the above-mentioned respect.

It is a further object of the invention to facilitate the gripping and retrieval of the compactly stored objects by causing one corner of each to protrude over corners of the immediately adjacent objects, namely in a staggered fashion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided according to one aspect of the invention is a method of storing a plurality of objects being of an identical prismatic shape and stored within an open top storage container in an up-right, compact side-by-side relationship characterized in that each object is placed forming an acute angle with respect to both adjacent objects, so that one corner portion thereof projects from between the adjacent objects and hence easily accessible for retrieval from the container.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a container for the storage of a plurality of objects within a storage container having a bottom, sidewalls and an open top, the objects being of an identical prismatic shape, characterized in that the bottom of the container comprises means form staggerly reclining each object in relative opposite directions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and additional characteristic features and advantages of the invention will become more clearly understood in the light of the ensuing description of two preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:—

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a typical object to the storing of which the present invention pertains;

FIG. 2 illustrates the conventional storage method;

FIG. 3 illustrates the methodology of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a container with integral means for practicing the storage method;

FIG. 5 shows a substrate wedge shaped element useful for practicing the storage method;

FIG. 6 is a schematic side-view of a storing container formed as a transportation trolley wherein the objects are arranged according to a first pattern; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic side-view of a storing container formed as a transport trolley wherein the objects are arranged according to a second pattern.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The principles of the invention are vividly represented in FIG. 3. Hence, the container B is again filled with the objects A in a compact side-by-side array.

However, the objects do not overlap each other, but each placed so that it forms an acute angle relative to the horizontal, and the angle of one object is opposite to that of the neighboring objects. Consequently, one corner portion of all objects projects upwards, in a staggered order and is thus exposed and readily accessible for gripping by a hand and retrieved.

The attainment of placing the objects A in the above described pattern can be achieved in many ways. Hence, as seen in FIG. 4, bottom wall C of the container B is provided with a plurality of projections D. The projections: are arranged in two pairs of rows R1 and R2, and R3 and R4. Row R1 is located near one side wall of the container and row R2 extends at a distance less than the length of the object A. Furthermore, the projections D of row R1 are distanced from each other by at-least the width of the object A. The same applies to the projections of the row R2 but shifted so that they are aligned with the gaps between the projections of the row R1.

The relationship between the projections of rows R3 and R4 is the same as regarding rows R1 and R2.

It is thus evident that once the objects A are placed in the container B, the staggeredly popping-up corners arrangement (FIG. 3) is attained.

According to an alternative embodiment, substrate wedge pieces such as denoted E in FIG. 5 can be used. These will be placed at the bottom of the container, e.g. formed as a wheeled trolley F, in opposite tapering directions to support the objects A placed thereof in the desired fashion. Two different options of arrangement are illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations and modifications can be effected without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in and by the appended claims. 

1. A method of storing a plurality of objects within an open top storage container, the objects being of identical prismatic shape and stored in an up-right, compact, side-by-side relationship, characterized in that each object is placed forming an acute angle with respect to both adjacent objects, so that one corner portion thereof projects from between the adjacent objects and hence easily accessible for retrieval from the container.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein each object is placed on a projection formed at the bottom of the container, the projections are arranged in a staggered relationship.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein each object is placed on a wedge-shaped support member, the members being arranged side-by-side in opposite tapering directions.
 4. A container for the storage of a plurality of objects within a storage container having a bottom, side-walls and an open top, the objects being of an identical prismatic shape, characterized in that the bottom of the container comprises spacing means for staggerly reclining each object in relative opposite directions.
 5. The container of claim 4 wherein said spacing means comprise a respective number of projections arranged in staggered relationship.
 6. The container of claim 5 wherein said spacing means comprise a respective number of elongated, wedge-shaped support members arranged side-by-side in opposite tapering directions. 